Daniel 3:28, “Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him, and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into rubble, for no other god can save in this way.”
What do you do when you are in an unfavorable situation, need courage, and do not know the outcome? Things will come up to bring your focus off God and on your problem. It could be a health issue, unexpected financial shortcomings, relationship conflicts, or employment issues. Jon Courson’s Application Commentary on Daniel 3, page 712, stated: “We must understand that the Lord sends His trials most frequently not when we’re stumbling and struggling but when He sees that we’re doing well. After all, Jesus said it’s the branch that’s already bearing fruit that is pruned in order that it, might bring forth even more fruit (John 15:2) . . . it means the Father sees something in us worth building upon and improving.” I had never thought of it in this light before.
So, how do you face the day in first trusting God before anything else? Jesus taught the disciples in Matthew 6:33-34, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” God is in control of all things, as he was with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who survived the fiery furnace. They are a great example of their profile of trusting in God no matter what the outcome. They refused to compromise their convictions with courage. God rewarded their faithfulness to Him, as they trusted God to deliver them. It is recorded that there was no smell of fire on them, which was noted by King Nebuchadnezzar’s advisers. Now, that was a total miracle of God’s almighty protection and caused this king who had set out to have them burned alive, and they were not even scorched. He admitted, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshech, and Abednego., who has sent his angel and rescued his servants.” Daniel 3:28.
The Holy Spirit will speak to you in what you read in God’s Word. Ask Him, “What do you want me to know here? What truth do you want me to know to apply in my situation?
Are you walking through a new situation where 2 Corinthians 5:7 may have new meaning for you, which says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Then 2 Corinthians 4:18 admonishes us, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” This very moment is just a moment in time and is temporary. We have the hope of seeing Jesus soon. That is what to cling to when you don’t know the outcome. Trust God, ask for wisdom and guidance in direct steps needed to pursue, and walk by faith and trust in the one who holds tomorrow, even when you do not know the outcome. “He’ll allow them [trials] to come into our lives to reveal Himself to us and to the bunch of Nebuchadnezzars who are watching us.” Jon Courson.
Listen to Casting Crowns, Oh My Soul.